Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Expressing appreciation and support for Erin Davies' mission of tolerance and public awareness campaign about discrimination and hate crimes.
Body
WHEREAS, on the 11th annual National Day of Silence, April 18, 2007, Erin Davies was victim of a hate crime when her VW Beetle with a rainbow sticker was vandalized in red spray paint with homophobic slurs; and
WHEREAS, Erin decided to embrace what happened by not removing the graffiti and continuing to drive her car as-is, in order to increase public awareness about the blatant homophobia that exists in our society; and
WHEREAS, Erin's mission is to drive her "fagbug" on a cross country trip and take it to as many diverse communities as possible, engaging residents in an honest dialog; and
WHEREAS, Erin's travels will bring her through Madison on August 10, 2007 thanks to the coordination and support of several community organizations: Seeking Tolerance and Justice Over Hate (STAJOH), Gay-Straight Alliance for Safe Schools (GSAFE) and OutReach, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Erin's courage and dedication demonstrate that the actions of one individual can make a positive difference in our society; and
WHEREAS, such individual effort to increase public awareness about discrimination and hate crimes makes an important contribution to the City's efforts to be a community of tolerance;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the Common Council hereby express their appreciation and support for Erin Davies' mission of tolerance and public awareness campaign.